( e* ) 
more valuable timber on the Continent, where labor and security of person are 
more certain. 
They might, however, be usefully employed, as hitherto, for the construction 
of stores, buildings, &c., on the islands themselves. 
Importance to preserve the Andamanese Forests. —It is, however, of the 
highest importance to preserve the forests on the Andamans. 
The whole amount of water and moisture is depending upon the presence 
of large forests. The scarcity of water on these islands makes it necessary 
that every precaution should be taken to prevent more jungle being cleared than 
is absolutely necessary. 
Those higher ranges which traverse the eastern parts of South Andaman, on 
which are the sources of several of the larger creeks, should be spared as much 
as possible, particularly as their slopes are too steep to undertake any culture on 
them adVantageously. 
I recommend also strongly the reading of Mr. DalzelTs important report 
on the influence of forests in the records of the Bombay Government, No. 76, 
(new series) to all officers who are employed on the Andamans in clearing 
lands. 
Unhealthiness of level lands likely to be alleged inadmissible .—An opinion 
prevails that the level lands, when cleared, are unhealthy. This operates as a 
prominent obstacle to all agri-horticultural undertakings on these islands. It is 
no wonder, therefore, to see the steepest slopes of the hills cleared, and cultiva¬ 
tion begun on the highest summits. Meanwhile, the fertile valleys or level lands 
are covered by dense jungles, or made inaccessible by borders of mangrove swamps. 
The consequence is the great dependence upon importation for food and the 
great poverty of the so-called self-supporters, who are confined to lands situated 
most unfavorably. 
We all know that clearances of virgin forests (also on the elevated spots) 
act most unfavorably upon the health pf man during the first years, but this un¬ 
healthiness is lessened where clearings are effected by burning down the jungles. 
Wasteful as this may appear at first sight, it is the only secure means to 
procure larger tracts of culturable lands. It saves lives and time. 
After sufficient cultivation has taken place, this system may of course be 
abandoned. 
The girdling of all the trees growing on a chosen spot is more easily 
executed ; and, after they have been killed, the more valuable timber might be 
removed for use,. the remainder being burned down would thus give a natural 
manure to the soil, so much wanted in the Andamans. 
